Excerpt & #Giveaway: A Sabre in the Hemlock (Blade Bound Saga #2) by Dorothy Dreyer
- Archaeolibrarian
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Book details:
A Sabre in the Hemlock
by Dorothy Dreyer
(Blade Bound Saga, #2)
Publication date: November 18th 2025
@AuthorDorothyDreyer @XpressoBookTours
@dorothydreyer @xpressotours
With enemies closing in and magic slipping from her control, Celeste draws closer to unraveling a prophecy that could cost her the man she loves—as well as her soul.
In the wake of the carnoraxis attack on Ivystone Citadel, Celeste Westergaard's battle for her future has only just begun. Trapped under the king’s watchful eye and hiding the magic awakening within her, Celeste must play the role expected of her, all the while uncovering secrets buried throughout Terre Ferique.
As the royal court embarks on a tour to solidify Dante’s claim to legitimacy, whispers of war and treachery follow their every step. The Shadow Tsar’s reach is growing, and the prophecy that fuels his reign foretells the rise of a power that will bring his downfall—one tied to the blood of the fae.
From glittering courts to bloodstained battlefields, Celeste must walk a knife’s edge between duty and desire, deception and truth. Because if the tsar discovers who she really is, he won’t just come for her magic, he’ll come for her soul.
A Sabre in the Hemlock is the thrilling sequel to the award-winning A Dagger in the Ivy, weaving romance, danger, and dark intrigue into an unforgettable tale of power and sacrifice.
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“You’re suddenly the expert when it comes to my training?” I challenge, picking out a dulled dagger to practice with, one that isn’t sharp enough to pierce skin.
“You could say that I’ve been studying your moves.” He takes a matching dagger from the collection and places the rest of the weapons on a nearby stool.
“I haven’t had any complaint about my moves before,” I say, taking a defensive stance as he nears.
“No complaints, Highness. Merely… suggestions.”
Without warning, he lunges. I pivot, but he’s already grabbing for my waist, spinning me before I can find my footing. His grip is sure but not bruising, his hands dragging heat along my sides. I twist free, elbowing his ribs, and dart a couple of steps away.
“You’re distracted,” he taunts.
“You’re smug,” I snap, pouncing forward to sweep his leg.
He jumps it, damn him, and catches my arm mid-spin, yanking me close.
For a heartbeat, our bodies are flush—his chest rising and falling against mine, our breath shared between barely an inch of space.
“You’re slow to react,” he murmurs, his gaze flicking to my mouth.
“Maybe I just don’t want to bruise that pretty face of yours,” I retort.
He chuckles as I shove off his chest, and we circle again. My body is awake now, alive in every tendon and nerve. I fake left, then duck, and jab the hilt of the dagger into his side. He stumbles back, catching himself with an arm, but he pivots quickly in a move that places him behind me, his dagger at my neck.
I decide to play dirty and push my ass into him. The distraction pays off, and when he hesitates, I grab his wrist and twist, twirling my body away as I disarm him.
He smirks and shakes his head, but it only takes a second before he ducks and rushes me, dodging my swiping blade, wrapping his arms around my waist and using the momentum to knock me off my feet.
I instinctively use a countermove, pinning my knees to hips and pushing one of his shoulders back until I’ve flipped him onto his back. Now my dagger is at his neck as I look down at him, my hair falling loose from my braid like a curtain over his face.
For a heartbeat, we just stare at each other, chests rising and falling, breath mingling.
“Looks like I win,” I say.
His smirk returns, and he runs hot palms up my hips before caressing the curves of my ass. “I beg to differ.”
Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, romance, and horror books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.
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Tour Organised by: Xpresso Book Tours
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